Immersive performance dinner

Always looking to create impactful new experiences for their guests, Bubble clients are increasingly opting for multi-sensory events where diners engage on a number of levels. At our recent immersive performance dinner at Royal Horticultural Halls (see the videohere) guests foraged amongst the table foliage for their ‘cherry’ amuse bouches whilst listening to woodland sounds, and then were comforted with a sensory hug – Cream of mushroom soup in a fur covered cup, accompanied by sounds of a crackling fire and purring cat.

Following the underwater inspired fish course, the palate cleanser consisted of cucumber sorbet, garnished with liquid nitrogen poached herbs and flowers, which were crushed in a pestle & mortar at the table. Literally the heart and soul of the dinner, the vibrant main course of Beef loin, red potato ox cheek dumpling, beetroot disc, red cabbage ketchup, purple carrot (or Beetroot kuzu gnocci for vegetarian option) was accompanied by the sound of a heartbeat and a distant symphony combining with lighting to evoke the feeling of being inside a real beating heart.

Nostalgic desserts began with Wasp Ice-cream – honey sabayon, bee pollen, honeycomb, electric button flower, where, with the help of warm sunshine lighting and sounds of buzzing and ice-cream van chimes, guests were transported back to being a child with an ice-cream van treat, trying to fend off pesky wasps. Pure childhood indulgence followed with Bubble’s Bake Off – a mini mixing bowl with coconut flour, sugar egg shells, passionfruit yolk, malted chocolate parfait, shortbread spoon – a dessert that looks as it is yet to be made where diners can finally lick the bowl clean! Flour dusted chefs added the spoon, flour and eggs at the table, against the sounds of Fanny Craddock reading a cake recipe in her traditional country kitchen. Bringing the nostalgia trip and the dinner to a conclusion, Smoked chocolate cigars were served with coffee with sounds and lighting bringing to mind an Italian café at night.

Florists from TUFF gradually built a multi-layered display which began as guests were ‘waiting in the wings’ during the canape reception, through to the reveal of the dinner table whereby they brought three full size trees into place behind the table and adding flowers and petals throughout the meal. Stunning lighting design and AV was provided by Ash Productions, video mapping by Astral Design and bespoke sound design created by Doug Haywood.